Chamber gearing up for 34th annual Oktoberfest

September 24, downtown Brush

By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor

Posted:
09/13/2016 09:00:00 PM MDT

The streets of downtown Brush have been filled with spectators and vendors during previous Oktoberfest and no different is expected for the 34th annual event, set for Saturday, October 24. (File photo/Brush News-Tribune)

Gather up your lederhosen and Dirndl dresses as the 34th Annual Brush Oktoberfest is just around the corner.Those attending the September 24th German-oriented festival are encouraged to sport their authentic German attire for a day filled with activities for young and old.While the actual street festival, featuring a large selection of food, arts and crafts, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and, on average, brings 5,000 persons to the downtown area, the Car and Motorcycle Cruise-In kicks off festivities on Friday, September 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Clayton Street.Those pre-registering for the Car and Bike show will receive a free ticket for the barbecue of hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, chips and drink, sponsored this year by the Brush Area Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are free to registrants and only $3 for the general public.Saturday gets underway with the 4th annual Volksmarch at 9 a.m. with City of Brush! Mayor Chuck Schonberger to present Volksmarch awards and the Oktoberfest toast at 11:30 a.m., with the remainder of events for the day starting at 10 a.m.This year’s line-up includes the Car and Motorcycle Show and Motorcycle Show & Shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., car and motorcycle show awards at 3:30 p.m., the Tail Waggin’ dog show at 10 a.m., along with sidewalk art from 10 a.m. to noon.The sheltered beer garden will operate from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. next to the Bank of Colorado with live German entertainment in the garden from 3 to 7 p.m.Live entertainment runs from 10 a.

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m. to 3 p.m. under the tent in front of the Equitable Savings & Loan. Among those performing this year are the Platte Valley Band, Vickie’s School of Dance, the Denver Kickers, Schuhplatters, the Steve Rock Band, along with Gregg Mullen and Richard Pardon.Another highlight to the annual Oktoberfest will be the crowning of the 2017 Brush Rodeo Queen McKenna VonFeldt.According to Brush Chamber Executive Director Melody Christensen, there are a few changes to this year’s event including all of the children’s activities will be held in the 100 block of Clayton Street, with the motorcycle show to be featured near the East Morgan County Library.An additional change involves the Dog Show in that the Fort Morgan Humane Society has agreed to take charge of this year’s show.Another first for the annual German festival is that the Chamber will set up a vendor’s booth with information on how to become a member and events, along with other pertinent information.One of her goals for her first big event as executive director is to display easel pads with stickers so that those in attendance can mark where they traveled from. “We like to know where everyone is from and see what kind of economic impact we are making on bringing people in from outside of the area,” she explained.The executive director also explained that the organization is in the planning stages of holding a raffle with proceeds designated for Downtown Historic Preservation which would allow the chamber to raise funds to help with projects including Central School, The Sands Theatre, The Desky Hotel and the facade program for local business owners.Winding up the 34th Annual Oktoberfest is the Polka Dance, set to begin at 7 p.m. under the big tent and running until 11 p.m. Supplying music for the dancers will be Wayne Applehans and the Dutch Hops Band, with Christensen noting that admission for the dance is $8 per person. Food will be available for purchase at the dance. The executive director added that there will not a be king and queen contest this year.“We are always looking for volunteers to work in the beer garden, pop stands, clean up and set up,” Christensen stated, adding, “I am very excited this year being able to plan the entire Oktoberfest from the ground up. I have assisted for the last five years, but this time the responsibility falls on me and I plan on continuing the legacy of Ron Prascher, the previous Executive Director, who passed away last year just a week prior to the event.”For information, contact the Chamber at 842-2666 or www.brushchamber.org or check out their Facebook page.

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